James DeGale Announces Retirement

Former world super middleweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, James DeGale, has announced his retirement from the sport of boxing.

DeGale took to social media on Thursday morning to announce on the 10th anniversary of his first pro fight ,that his loss to Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday would be his final time in the ring.

“Today marks ten years since my professional debut fight on 28th February 2009 and today is the day I am announcing my retirement from boxing,” DeGale wrote. “It’s been an unbelievable journey and I’ve had an amazing decade – if I’m honest, the best years of my life”.

“It hard to admit that I’m not the fighter I once was, but I’m human and along the way, my injuries have taken a toll – both on mind and body and these things have contributed to impact my performance in the ring.

“I lost the fight on Saturday at The O2 but I’m touched to have a good send off from the fans in my home city.”

Prior to turning pro in 2009, DeGale became Olympic champion at the Beijing Games in 2008, beating Cuba’s Emilio Correa in the final.

DeGale would come to the United States to win his first world title against Andre Dirrell, making him the first British Olympic gold medalist to become a world champion.